Skull form



April 14, 1931. B. BILLET 1,801,218

SKULL FORM Filed Sept. 30. 1929 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 14, 1931 PATENT OFFICE BARNEY BILLET, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SKULL FORM Application filed September 30, 1929. Serial No. 396,374.

. head portion having a more or less elongated snout portion, together with a clamping member which forms the lower aw of the animal head and is used to hold the fur piece in position on the wearer, the skull form heing covered with suitable fur to simulate the head of an animal. The clamping member may consist of upper and lower parts, the upper part being supported within the snout portion, as for instance upon a jaw plate which forms the base of the snout portion.

The primary object of the present invention is to eificiently support the jaw clamp upon the jaw plate.

A further object is to enable the jaw plate to perform a double function ofstrengthen- "ing the upper jaw of the animal head and supporting the clamping member in interlocking relation.

A still further object is to simplify and improve the construction ofthe jaw plate and clamping member and render the same quickly and easily attachable to the skull form.

Another obj ec't is to provide the jaw plate with integral fastening devices for use in attaching the jaw plate to the skull.

Still another objectis to enable the eyes to be secured in place so that they can not become. loosened or pull out, and so that the securing means for the eyes will not damage the material of the skull or the fur.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter specifically pointed out, or will become apparent, as the specification proceeds.

"With the above indicated objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the following specification and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which latter show embodiments of the invention as at present preferred.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View through the skull showing the jaw plate supported within the snout portion and the aw clamps interlocked on the jaw plate.

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the jaw plate prior to its attachment to the snout portion of the skull.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the skull taken from the rear and partly broken away to show the parts below.

The skull form 10 in this instance includes a hollow head portion 11 and a snout portion 12. The snout portion 12 is adapted to form the upper jaw of the animal head and to support a jaw clamp 13 which constitutes the lower jaw. To support this clamp 13 the snout portion 12 preferably includes a jaw plate 16. This jaw plate may be formed integral with, or of the same material as, the

skull form 10; or it may be made of any sufficiently firm material.

In this instance however, the aw plate is shown as a stamped metal member 16. The snout portion 12 has a recessed portion 14, and a groove 15 extending upward from said recessed portion. The jawplate 16 is adapted to seat in the recessed portion 14; and this aw plate 16 in the present instance is shaped to fit the snout recess 14. The plate 16 includes a central longitudinal depression or groove 17 adapted to be aligned with the groove 15 of the snout, a plurality of integral, upturned tongue portions 18 and 19 at the right and left sides of the plate, respectively, an integral upturned rearward portion 20, shaped to fit the interior of the skull at the base of the snout, and a rearwardly extending projection 21. The forward end of the plate 16 is provided with a depression 23 at the end of its groove 17 To attach the jaw plate to the snout 12, the tongues 18 and 19 are pressed into grooves or apertures 24 and 25 at the respective sides ofthe snout, until the plate 16 seats in the recessed portion 14, and the tongues 18 and 19 are then bent outward and downward against the outer sides, thus holding the plate firmly in place with the depression 17 aligned with the groove 15, and with the rearward portion 20 of the plate 16 abutting against the forward skull wall 26 at the base of the snout. Therefore, while a portion of the material of the snout 12 extends below the plate 16, as shown in Fig. 2, said portion, particularly when the material is molded to the plate, may embrace the lower surface of the plate, as far inwardly as the .central portion of rib 17, which latter may remain exposed through the said mate rial 12.

The skull is then covered with suitable fur 27 the fur being stretched entirely over the snout, and covering the lower part of the jaw plate.

I Y The eyes28 are theninserted in the skull wall 26, and the wire prongs 29 of are wound around therearward projection 21 of the plate 16, .thus securely holding the eyes in place so that they cannot'become loosened, and sothat no damage to the skull pieces,'compris1ng a. head. portion includ ng wall can results The upwardly extending portion ih as "a central opening 30 to afford access to the '-longitudinal forwardly extending opening to. be initially covered with fur, velvet or fabric produced by the groove 15 and depression 17. The jaw clamp 13 includes upper and lower members 31 and 32respectively pivoted to .each other atz33'and constantly urged to closing position by asuitable spring 34. I The leading and slightly-tapered end of the uppermember' 31 of the jaw clampsis adapted inserted in the rear andslightly expanded end of theforwardly extend- ,ingfop'ening formed by the'groove 15; and depression 17 this member 31; having a longitudinally extending rib 35 at its under side adapted to traverse the. depression 17 of thejawplate and hold the jawclamp against transverse movement. Asthe recess 15 is expandedat its rear end (see Fig- 1), and as the member 31 is slightlytapered at its forward end, corresp'ondi'ng generally with the plate 16 andfits groove 17,2113 shown in Fig. 3,.the said forward end conveniently enters the recess, initially, and then moves downwardly, during the subsequent insert- ,ing operation, to the position just below the recess, or, in fact, the bottom part of the recess, shown in Fig, 2. To hold the jaw clamp in place within the snout against unintentional: removal, the member 31 has a downturned portion "36 adapted to lodge in ,the forward depression 23 in interlocking relation. The held in place within the snout, the under side of the snout engaging the up'perfj-aw clamp member at the sides of the latter throughout .itslength. The lower clamp is adapted to constitute the lower jaw of the animal, for use in holding the piece of fur in place on the wearer in a conventional .manner. This lower member 32 may be material, or any other suitable material. Y The jaw plate 16 may be formed as a flat the eyes jaw clamp is then securely.

member 32 of the jaw plate if desired, without the depressions 23 and 17, or portions 20 or 21; and other fastening means may be used in place of the tongues 18 and 19.

While I have shown the skull form proper constructed of relatively thin'rubber, it may be constructed of fibrous material, impregnated burlap, buckramate or the like.

The hereinbefore described construction admits of considerable modifications without departing from'the invention; therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the precise arrangements shown and described, which are, as aforesaid, by way of illustration merely. In other words, the scope of'protection contemplated is to be taken solely from the appended claims,, interpreted as broadly as is consistent with the prior art.

WhatI claim as new:.- v c I V 1. A skull-form for animalheads of fur a, snout and forming the upper-jaw of the head, a jaw plate comprising a. plurality of tongues secured in said snout, and a jaw clamp including upper; and lower-pivoted members and having means constantly urg- --ing said jaw clamp members in closingdirection, said upper jaw clamp member mounted above said jaw plate, and said lower jaw clamp member constituting the lower jaw of theanimal head.

2. A skull form for animal heads for fur pieces comprising a hollow head portion 1n- :cluding a snout andforming the upper jaw of the head, a j aw'plate comprisinga member supportedbeneath said snout, eyes having prongs'penetrating the; skull wal -l, an integral projection on said jaw plate: intermediate said eyes, said prongs secured on said integral projection, and a jaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted. members and havmg means constantly urgmg; said mem bers in closing dlrection, the upper member being supported within said snout and the lower member constituting the lower jaw of the animal head. 7

31A skull form for animal heads of fur pieces, comprising a hollow head portion including asn-out, said snout forming the upper jaw of the head, a'jaw plate. comprising a sheet metal member beneath said snout, said jaw plate including an integral upwardly extending member to support the topof the top of the skull form at the rearward wall of said snout, a jawclamp including upper and lower pivoted members and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direction,

ing support-ed on said jaw plate, said lower jaw clamp member constituting the lower jaw of the animal head.

4. A skull form for animal heads of fur said upwardly extend ng aw plate member having an openpieces, comprisinga head portion including a snoutand forming the upper jaw of the head, saidsnout having a recessed portion at its under side and a groove extending upward from said recessed portion, a jaw plate mounted in said recessed portion, said jaw plate comprising a sheet metal member, a jaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted members and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direction, said upper aw clamp member inof said snout to secure said jaw plate in place within the skull form, and a jaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted members and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direction, said upper jaw clamp member being supported on said jaw plate, said jaw plate having a forward depression and said upper jaw clamp member having a downturned portion engaging saidforward depresion and holding the jaw clamp members in place in interlocking relation, said lower jaw clamp member constituting the lower jaw of the animal head.

6. A skull form for animal heads of fur pieces, comprising a hollow head portion including a snout and forming the upper jaw of the head, said snout having at its under side a recess and a groove extending upward from said recess, a jaw plate seated in said recess, said jaw plate comprising a sheet metal member having a longitudinally extending central depressionto align with the groove, a plurality of integral tongues on, said jaw plate, said snout having apertures to receive said tongues and said tongues being bent outward and downward against the sides of said snout to secure said jaw plate in place within the skull form, eyes having prongs positioned in the skull wall, an integral projection on said jaw plate intermediate said eyes, said prongs secured on said integral projection, and a jaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted members and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direction, said upper jaw clamp member having a longitudinally extending rib to traverse the depression of the jaw plate, and said lower jaw clamp member constituting the lower jaw of the animal head.

7. A skull form for animal heads of fur pieces, comprising a hollow head portion including a snout and forming the upper jaw of the head, said snout having a recessed portion at its under side and a groove extending upward from said recessed portion, a jaw plate seated in said recessed portion, said jaw plate comprising a sheet metal member having a longitudinally extending central depression to align with the groove of said recessed portion, a plurality of integral tongues on said jaw plate, said snout having grooves to receive said tongues, said tongues being bent against the sides of said snout to secure said jaw plate in place within the skull form, said jaw plate including an upwardly extending member to support the top of the skull form at the rearward wall of said snout, and a jaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted members, and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direction, said upwardly extending jaw plate member having an opening aligned with the groove of the snout and with the depression of the jaw plate, said upper jaw clamp member having a longitudinally extending rib to traverse the depression of the jaw plate, and said lower jaw clamp member constituting the lower jaw of the animal.

8. A skull form for animal heads of fur pieces, comprising a hollow head portion including a snout and forming the upper jaw of the head, said snout having a recessed portion at its under side, a jaw plate seated in said recessed portion, said jaw plate comprising a sheet metal member, means to secure said aw plate to said snout, eyes having prongs projecting from the skull wall, an integral projection on said jaw plate intermediate said eyes, said prongs secured on said integral projection, and a jaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted members and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direction, said jaw plate having a forward depression and said upper jaw clamp member having a downturned portion postioned in said forward depression and holding the jaw clamps in place in interlocking relation with said jaw plate, said lower jaw clamp member constituting the lower jaw of the animal.

,9. A skull form for animal heads of fur pieces, comprising a hollow head portion in cluding a snout and forming the upper jaw of the head, a jaw plate secured beneath said snout, said jaw plate including an upwardly extending member to support the top of the skull form at the rearward wall of said snout, and a jaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted members and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direction, said upwardly extending jaw plate memberhaving an opening aligned with the snout, said upper jaw clamp member extending through said opening between said jaw plate and snout, said jaw plate having a the forward depression and said upper jaw clamp member having a downturned portion disposed in said forward depression and holding the jaw clamp members in place in'interlocking relation, said lower jaw clamp member,

constituting thelower aw of the animal head.

10. A skulkform for animal heads offur pieces, comprising a hollow headportion including a snout and forming the upper aw of the head, said snout having at its under side a recess and a groove extending upward from said recess, a jaw plate seated in said recess,

said jaw plate-comprising a sheetmetal member hav ng a longitudinally extending central depression aligned with the groove and recess, a plurality of integral tongues on said jaw plate, said snout having apertures to receive. said tongues and said tongues being bent against the sides of said snout to secure said jaw plate in place within the skull form,

. eyes having prongs penetrating the skull wall,

an integral projection on said jaw plate intermediate said eyes, said prongs being secured on said integral projection, and a jaw clamp includingupper and lower pivoted members and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direction, said upper jaw clamp member having a longitudinally extending rib to traverse the depression of the jaw'plate, said aw plate having a forward depression and said upper jaw clamp member having a downturned portion disposed in said forward depression and holding the jaw clamp members in interlocking relation, said lowerjaw clamp member constituting the lower jaw of the animal head;

11. A- skull form foranimal heads of fur pieces, comprising'a hollow head portion inward against the sides of said snout to secure said jaw plate in place within the skull vform, said jaw plate including an upwardly extending member to support the top of the skull form at the rearward wall of said snout, eyes having prongs penetrating the skull wall, an integral projection on said aw plate intermediate sa1d eyes, sa1d prongs secured on sa1d integral projection, and a aw clamp including upper and low-er pivoted members and having means constantly urging said jaw clamp members in closing direct on,

said upwardly extending jaw plate member having an opening aligned with the groove of the snout and depression of the jaw plate, said upper aw clamp member havinga lon ;erture,' which latter gitudinally extending rib to\ traverse the constituting the lower jaw of the animal head. c v V 12. A skull form for animal heads for fur pieces, comprising an upper jaw plate having a longitudinal central-depression therein, a projection at the rear end of said depression, a snout laterally and forwardly embracing saidjaw-plate and extending partly below the'lower surface 01"? said jaw plate, said snout having a recess therein. above the j aw plate, a rear skull shell portion integral with said snout, an upwardly turned terminal carried bysaid jaw plate'and supporting said shell,said terminal embracing the rear end of said snout and having thereinan apcommu'nicates with said recess, eyes having retaining prongs projecting through the rear end of said snout and through said aperture, the terminals of said prongs being anchored on said projection, a jaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted membersand having means constant- 1 1y urging said members in closing direction,

said upper jaw member, being insertable in sa1d aperture, pos1t1oned n sa1d recess, sa1d lowermember pos1t1oned below sa1d plate and constituting the lower jaw of the-animal head, and a, rib integral with said upper. j aw and positioned in the depression of said plate to maintain said jawclamp in longitudinal' alig'nment'with said plate.

13. A skull form for animal heads for fur pieces, comprisingan upper jaw plate having a longitudinal central depression therein, a snout laterally and forwardly embracing said jaw plate and extending partly below the lower surface of said'jaw plate, said snout having a recesstherein-above the jaw plate, a

rear skull shell portion integral with said snout, eyes having retaining prongs projecting through the rear end of said snout and secured inside the skull shell portion, afjaw clamp including upper and lower pivoted members and having means constantly urging said members in closing direction, said upper j aw member being positioned in said recess, said lower member Lpositio'ned below said plate and con stitutingthe lower jaw of the animal head, and a rib integral with said upper jaw and positioned in the depression of said plate to maintain said jaw clamp in longitudinal alignment with said plate.

In testimony whereofl hereby afiix my signature.

BARNEY BILLET. 

